§ 18. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Health if he is now satisfied that there is sufficient labour for the construction of the houses needed: and whether there has been evidence of any undue attempt to raise the prices of building material?
§ Sir K. WOODWhile considerable progress is now being made with house construction, my right hon. Friend thinks it is generally recognised that the supply of skilled building labour is still not equal to demands. With regard to the last part of the question, the information in my right hon. Friend's possession does not indicate that there have been recently any undue attempts to raise the prices of building material.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the Ministry of Health aware of any due attempt to raise the prices?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that there are thousands of skilled building operatives out of work to-day and receiving unemployment pay?
§ Sir K. WOODThat may be so, and if certain skilled branches of the building trade were augmented, I have no doubt they would be able to obtain employment.
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas the hon. Gentleman seen the report in the papers to the effect that between the dates mentioned the price of building materials per house has been raised about £10?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, and if my hon. Friend will recall the figures I gave just now, he will see that the price of non-parlour houses in contracts let during October last was £447, compared with £436 at 1st June and £440 at 1st January last.